Motor vehicle fuel level sensor
US6367325B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/0038
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a fuel sensor suited for sensing the level of fuel in a motor vehicle fuel tank. The fuel tank includes an interior mounting to which the fuel sensor is affixed. The fuel sensor has a cantilever member extending in a substantially horizontal direction from the mounting to a free end. The cantilever member is substantially rigid but can be deflected in the vertical direction. A probe is affixed at the free end of the cantilever member to extend in a substantially vertical orientation approximately the full height of the fuel tank. A stabilizer member is affixed at one end to the mounting and at an opposing end to the probe. The stabilizer member has a pivot segment between the ends permitting the probe to move vertically but not horizontally. According to Archimedes's principle, the probe encounters a buoyant force equal to the weight of displaced fuel which induces strain in the cantilever member. The strain is detected by a strain gauge rigidly coupled to a surface of the cantilever member. The strain gauge produces a resistance that causes a voltage difference across the strain gauge, when a voltage is applied. This voltage difference is calibrated to indicate…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.